Eric Clapton reveals retirement plans in new interview

Guitar legend Eric Clapton has revealed that he’s looking at retiring from touring due to “unbearable” and “unapproachable” circumstances.

In an interview with Uncut Magazine for their August 2014 issue, the guitarist complains that he feels that most countries resemble “a different version of America” and that he may quit touring because of it.

“The road has become unbearable,” Clapton states. “It’s become unapproachable, because it takes so long to get anywhere. It’s hostile – everywhere: getting in and out of airports, traveling on planes and in cars.”

The guitarist also states that he has “odd ailments” that may lead him to quit playing altogether. However, he claims that as he approaches 70 years of age next year, that he may just focus on studio work and quit touring.

“There are tons of things I’d like to do, but I’m looking at retirement too,” Clapton states. “What I’ll allow myself to do, within reason, is carry on recording in the studio. I don’t want to go off the boil to the point where I’m embarrassing myself.”

“I don’t want to go off the boil to the point where I’m embarrassing myself.”

When asked if he may quit playing altogether, Clapton responded, “Maybe. It might be that I can’t, if it hurts too much. I have odd ailments.”

The comments surface the same week that Clapton was booed for walking off stage during a gig at Glasgow’s Hydro arena on June 21st. He has since apologized for what has been described as a technical problem.

“Unfortunately [on June 21st] in Glasgow we experienced a steadily worsening technical problem with the PA system that the band battled with throughout the show,” Clapton’s team writes on his website, “but by the last song of the set it became unbearable on stage and Eric was unable to complete that number. During the encore break we were able to reset and the band finished as planned with the last number.

“The usual touring set length runs at 1hr 35 mins so in fact the full set was performed apart from the entirety of “cocaine” which had to be curtailed.

“Eric is nevertheless sorry for the break in the concert and the disappointment of his fans.”

Author: Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites.